What:
32-team “May Madness” knockout tournament
First Round: #5 Michigan vs #4 American International College

Where: Shrine on Airline Stadium in New Orleans, LA

When:
First Round: Sat May 28, 12:02pm CT
Second Round, Quarters: Sun May 29
Semis, Finals: Mon May 20

Television: The Rugby Network, CBS Sports Network

Tickets: exist here

Weather: High 80s and sunny all weekend

Overview

Michigan returns to the Collegiate Rugby Championship for the first time since 2016, and hopes to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015. The tournament features a mix of varsity and high-performing club teams in 7-on-7 rugby. Games are action packed and only 14 minutes long.

World Rugby just announced that the United States will host the Men’s World Cup in 2031, rugby rejoined the Olympics in 2016, and America has had a professional league (Major League Rugby) since 2017. Rugby is rising, and colleges continue to elevate teams to varsity status, most recently Navy.

Michigan has produced two MLR champions, and women’s alumna Alena Olsen competes for Team USA.

The Basics

32 teams will play First Round games on Saturday. This tournament is single-elimination, but consolation brackets ensure that every team is placed. The teams are divided into four regions of eight teams each.

This tournament is rugby 7s: Teams play with seven players on the field and games are only 14 minutes long. The Olympics is rugby 7s, and World Cup rugby is played with 15 players and 80 minute games. Most American college teams play 15s in the fall and 7s in the spring.

Fans liken rugby to football without pads. Players can only pass the ball backwards, but they can still kick it forwards. To score, players have to place the ball down in the “try zone.” Tries (touchdowns) are worth five points and conversions (extra points) are worth two points. Rucks are formed after tackles, and teams restart play after minor infractions with scrums andlineouts.

The Us

Michigan competes in the Big Ten and finished fourth this spring behind Indiana, Penn State, and Ohio State. Wins over Michigan State, Illinois, and—most impressively—Notre Dame earned the Wolverines the 5-seed in the West Region.

Rugby is a club sport at Michigan, and most players on the roster are crossover athletes that began playing in college. With less size and speed than opponents, Michigan relies on superior player development (Head Coach Matt Trenary) and cohesion. Indeed, Michigan’s young team has improved at every tournament this spring.

Eight of the 11 players on Michigan’s roster this weekend are freshmen or sophomores, but the team is not void of older leadership. Senior prop Nathan Feldman and Junior flyhalf Braden Loughnane (captain) earned All Big Ten honors this spring by combining for 18 tries across 18 games. Also in the starting lineup is Braden’s younger brother, freshman scrumhalf Shea Loughnane, who scored seven tries of his own in a breakout season. Other starters include freshman hooker Alex Olsen and sophomore wing Max Rector. Find out more about the players here.

No rugby team is ever at 100%. Starters George Janke and Armen Vartanian are inactive with knee and hand injuries, respectively. But as a team that relies on its system more than on star players, Michigan is well-equipped to move forward.

The Them

American International College, located in Springfield, MA, is one of many smaller schools with new varsity programs. They boast an eclectic mix of talent which includes players from Guam, Argentina, and Alaska. They compete in the Liberty Rugby Conference and posted an 18-9 record this spring. Their best win was a 24-14 victory over Iona to win the Fairfield 7s tournament.

The Yellow Jackets are athletic and thrive in chaotic situations. Open play, such as transitions from turnovers, allows for individual talent from players such as big men Bryce Stovell and Jesse Emerson and speedster Adam Martignetti.

The Wolverines will need to control possession and test AIC’s discipline on defense. Winning their own scrums and lineouts, and at least going even on kickoffs are keys for the Maize and Blue taking control of the game. Defensively, in structured play, Michigan can manage the AIC attack and force them into taking high-risk options or exposing the ball for turnovers at tackles.

The Other Thems

The remaining 30 teams predictably include a mix of title-contenders and marginal entrants. The top seeds are Lindenwood, Kutztown, Mount St. Mary’s, and Big Ten rival Indiana. The Michigan-AIC matchup is paired with Indiana vs Florida. The Wolverines went 0-2 against Indiana this spring as the Hoosiers won the Big Ten without a loss.

Other contenders include 15s national champion Army, St. Bonaventure, and Notre Dame College(NTND), all varsity programs. Penn State, situated as a “Team Sport” within their Athletic Department, could also make a run.

Intangibles

 

The Keys

The Ball, The Ball, The Ball
If you’re not familiar with rugby, you’re at least familiar with the concept that possessing the ball is a prerequisite of scoring. Michigan needs to hang on to the ball and not throw away their chances, especially since losing the ball will often create an immediately opportunity for AIC.

Our own flavor of opportunism
While the Wolverines will rely on discipline, they will also need to recognize their chances to cash in. On attack, this means taking breaks and yardage where available, yet staying patient when AIC scrambles to cover. Recycling the ball back across the field where that scramble defense came from is often the recipe for points.

Did we mention the ball?
AIC’s attack can be potent when given space. But if kept in control, the Yellow Jackets may resort to hero ball, creating opportunities for sweeper Shea Loughnane to make some steals at tackles.

May the odds be ever in your favor
Getting past AIC will likely present old foe Indiana whose restart game has posed challenges for Michigan. Beyond Indiana, the opponents are difficult to predict. Walking out of New Orleans 5-0 isn’t likely for any single team and whoever manages to do it will have benefitted from some fortunate bounces at fortunate times.

Cheap Thrills

Worry if…

• Michigan hands AIC the ball
• Yellow Jackets are running with lots of grass in front of them
• SYSTEM BREAKDOWN

Cackle with knowing glee if…

• AIC resorts to hero ball
• Michigan defenders are in AIC’s faces
• AIC players start to tire out early

The strictures and conventions of sportswriting compel me to predict:

Michigan plays with discipline and puts away AIC in a close game. I predict Michigan wins 19-17, with the Wolverines’ success rate on conversion kicks being the difference.

In the Second Round, the Wolverines are certainly underdogs if they play the top-seeded Hoosiers. A win would unearth Michigan as an up-and-coming program. Even with a Second Round loss, the Wolverines would be well-positioned to finish placed somewhere from 9th to 13th. This is a great result to build on next year; all of Michigan’s players are returning.